- Dreamboats and Petticoats
-
For the compilation album on which this musical was based, see Dreamboats and Petticoats (compilation album)
Dreamboats and Petticoats 
The album cover of the original London cast recording of Dreamboats and Petticoats.Music Various Lyrics Various Book Laurence Marks & Maurice Gran Basis The compilation album series Dreamboats and Petticoats Productions 2009 UK tour
2009 London (first run)
2010 London (second run)
2010 UK tourDreamboats and Petticoats is a jukebox musical based on popular songs from the fifties and early sixties. The musical, featuring those songs of the rock 'n' roll era, is set around the years 1957 to 1963[1] and was written by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran.
It was first performed at The Churchill Theatre in Bromley in February 2009 followed by a UK tour. This run received rave critical reviews and widespread audience acclaim. Therefore, it subsequently moved to the Savoy Theatre in London's West End from July to September in 2009[2] and has since returned to London at its new location at the Playhouse Theatre; where it currently plays. A second national tour has just finished touring the UK.
Well-over a million people have been reported to have seen the show.
The West End production is currently booking until 26 November 2011.
Contents
Synopsis
In 1961 emotions run high as young musicians Norman and Bobby compete to win a national song writing competition – and, more importantly, the attention of the gorgeous Sue! But when Bobby discovers that shy Laura is no slouch on the piano, love and rock 'n' roll fame beckons...
Development
After spending several weeks at the number one spot in the UK Compilation Charts and with over two million copies sold of the first album, the unexpected success of Dreamboats and Petticoats CD series made producers of the series to consider a stage musical adaptation. Brian Berg, the managing director of Universal Music TV (UMTV) and director of Universal Music UK, reportedly saw a niche in the market for older audiences who preferred the music of their teenage years in comparison to the seemingly inaccessible youth-driven playlists on current radio stations. Berg saw the adaptation of a stage musical as a move that "would enhance the brand" and therefore got in touch with Bill Kenwright, producer Laurie Mansfield and writers Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran to pen the book of the show. He had "the basic idea of youth clubs and nostalgia and a songwriting competition" as the basis of the show because he was a teenager in the sixties who attended a local youth club in Finsbury Park, north London. He added, "As kids growing up in the Sixties we all played in bands, I was a drummer in The Sound Barrier, the greatest unsigned band of the Sixties."[1]
Current productions
London (2009–present)
The Savoy Theatre where the musical was first performed in London.
Dreamboats and Petticoats was first performed in London at the Savoy Theatre on 22 July 2009. The run terminated on 31 October 2009 to make way for Legally Blonde.
Role Original 2010-11 Current Bobby Scott Bruton Alexis Gerred Scott Bruton Laura Daisy Wood-Davis Megan Jones Charlotte Jeffery Norman Ben Freeman Bradley Clarkson Sam Attwater Sue Jennifer Biddle Emma Stephens Susannah Allman Ray A.J Dean A.J Dean David Gale Donna Emma Hatton Jess Ellerby Gemma Salter Older Bobby/Phil David Cardy Jimmy Johnston Des O'Connor Derek Patrick Burbridge Patrick Burbridge Patrick Burbridge Daisy Sophie Byrne Bethany Compson-Bradford Claire McGarahan Barry Robin Johnson Kris Hudson Kris Hudson Colin Michael Kantola Michael Kantola Michael Kantola Andy Adam Welsh Tim Jackson Joey Hickman Richard Sam Palladio Michael Paver Richie Hart Eric Stuart Ward Alan Howell Alan Howell Frank/Slugger/Compare Mike Lloyd Mike Lloyd Mike Lyoyd Babs Wendy Paver Jessica Dyas Jessica Dyas Jeremy Andrew Venning ROLE CUT Helen Deborah Hewwet ROLE CUT 
The musical transferred to the Playhouse Theatre in January 2010.After a three-month hiatus, the musical found a new location at the Playhouse Theatre on 6 January 2010. It currently plays there.
Past productions
First UK tour (2009)
Opening on 19 February 2009 at The Churchill Theatre in Bromley, Dreamboats and Petticoats had a successful run in theatres across the UK for five months. This tour finished on 18 July 2009 at the Sunderland Empire in Sunderland. Upon finishing, the production, due to heavy demand and unexpected success, moved to the West End for a three month run. This production, therefore, had the same cast as the original London cast.
Second UK tour (2010)
Again starting at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley, Dreamboats and Petticoats enjoyed another tour of the UK. This time with an alternative cast to the first time. The tour started on 19 January 2010 and played its last performance on 4 December 2010 in Grimsby.
The cast were:[3]
Role Jan-Jul Aug-Dec Bobby Josh Capper Josh Capper Laura Daniella Bowen Daniella Bowen Norman Jonathan Bremner Jonathan Bremner Sue Carolynne Good Francesca Jackson Ray Gareth Leighton Wayne Smith Donna Clare Ivory Emily Goodenough Older Bobby/Phil Anthony Clegg Oliver Beamish Derek Ben Tolley Tristan Pate Daisy Bethany Compson-Bradford Claire McGarahan Barry Daniel Graham Charlie Wade Colin Chris Coxon Chris Coxon Andy Tim Jackson Greg Last Richard Alan Howell Alan Howell Eric Glen Joseph Glen Joseph Frank/Slugger/Compare Simon Nock Jem Dobbs Babs Lauren Storer Jessica Dyas Jeremy Michael Paver Michael Paver Swing Katie Pritchard Lauren Morgan Third UK tour (2011)
A third tour started in June 2011, opening at the Theatre Royal, Windsor.[4]
The cast were:[5]
Role June - December Bobby David Ribi Laura Samantha Dorrance Norman Ben James Ellis Sue Katie Birtill Ray Josh Little Donna Anna Campkin Older Bobby/Phil Graeme Henderson Derek Tristan Pate Daisy Francesca Loren Barry Christopher Wheeler Colin Chris Coxon Andy Adam Day Howard Richard Matthew Quinn Eric James Nitti Frank/Slugger/Compare Chris Fry Babs Emily O'Keeffe Jeremy Robbie Durham Swing Lauren Morgan Future Productions
Brian Berg, the executive producer for Universal records has stated that there are plans for productions in the US and Australia and the possibility of a feature film in 2012.[6]
Music
Main article: Dreamboats and Petticoats (compilation album)Musical numbers
Act I
- Overture - Band (The Conquests)
- Let's Dance - Bobby
- The Wanderer - Norman
- Jezebel - Donna
- To Know Him Is to Love Him - Laura
- Good Timin' - Norman
- You Won't Catch Me Crying - Bobby
- Dream Baby Dream - Laura
- You Won't Catch Me Crying (reprise) - Laura
- Wonderful Land - Band (The Conquests)
- Shakin' All Over - Sue & Norman
- In Dreams - Bobby
- In Dreams (reprise) - Bobby
- Bobby's Girl - Ray & Donna
- Palisades Park - The Company
- Little Town Flirt - Phil & Ray
- Sweet Nothin's - Sue & Donna
- Runaway / Who's Sorry Now? - Bobby & Laura
- Poetry in Motion - Ray
- It's Only Make Believe Laura
- Do You Wanna Dance? The Company
Act II
- Entr'acte - Band (The Conquests)
- Dream Lover - Older Bobby & Bobby
- Great Pretender - Norman
- Only the Lonely - Bobby
- Donna - Ray
- Teenager in Love - Laura
- Runaround Sue - Bobby, Ray & Band (The Conquests)
- Shop Around - Phil
- Dreamboats and Petticoats (short) - Bobby
- Only Sixteen - Bobby
- Da Do Ron Ron - Donna, Sue, & The Company
- Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen - The Company
- Wonderful World - Laura & Bobby
- Quarter to Three - Ray
- You Don't Know - Sue
- Let It Be Me - Bobby & Laura
- Where the Angels Go - The Carnegie Sisters
- Dreamboats and Petticoats - Bobby & Laura
- Let's Twist Again - Norman
- C'mon Everybody - Ray
- At the Hop - The Company
Recordings
A live cast recording of the original London cast was released on 1 December 2009. It was recorded live, in front of audiences, at the Savoy Theatre.
Critical reception
The London production received mixed reviews, with most critics concluding that the show was a light-hearted jukebox musical well-suited to an older audience. Quentin Letts at The Daily Mail described Dreamboats and Petticoats as "pacy, as shallow as a paddling pool, and innocent fun – particularly for those who lived through the songs first time round.”[7]
Awards and nominations
The West End production was nominated for Best New Musical at the 2010 Laurence Olivier Awards.
Financial success
References
- ^ a b http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/171785/Interview-with-Dreamboats-And-Petticoats-mastermind-Brian-Berg/Interview-with-Dreamboats-And-Petticoats-mastermind-Brian-BergInterview-with-Dreamboats-And-Petticoats-mastermind-Brian-BergInterview-with-Dreamboats-And-Petticoats-mastermind-Brian-BergInterview-with-Dreamboats-And-Petticoats-mastermind-Brian-Berg
- ^ Official Website
- ^ Bill Kenwright Ltd presents Dreamboats And petticoats http://www.kenwright.com/index.php?id=931
- ^ http://www.dreamboatsandpetticoats.com/the-musical/theatre-listings/
- ^ Bill Kenwright Ltd presents Dreamboats And petticoats http://www.kenwright.com/index.php?id=931
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandpopfeatures/7926701/Dreamboats-and-Petticoats-Dream-Boat-That-Rocked.html
- ^ http://www.dreamboatsandpetticoatstickets.org
External links
Categories:- 2009 musicals
- Jukebox musicals
- West End musicals
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
